By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has kicked-started its accountability tour of projects of the Chairmen of the 31 Local Government Councils of Akwa Ibom to appraise projects executed within their first 100 days in office.
This exercise is in furtherance of CHRAN’s avowed commitment to deepening democracy at the grassroots level and ensuring good governance at the third tier of Government.
At Etim Ekpo Local Council where the tour commenced,the organisation’s Director, Franklyn Isong informed the Council chairman, Mr Gideon Uwah that, CHRAN also has as its core mandate the monitoring of Councils across the country with a view to holding officials accountable to the people.
Isong noted that the CHRAN is a worthy development partner that is committed to ensuring good governance at the grassroots level, which lies at the core of Government.
“The Local Government Chairmen should be heard and they should tell us what they have done within their first 100 days in office as the Chief Accounting Officers of their respective Councils in Akwa Ibom State.”
Uwah who conducted the CHRAN team round his projects, which include: the general facelift of the Council Secretariat, remodelling of the Secretariat fence, newly constructed two-bedroom gate house with newly constructed gateway, construction of 1.5 km asphalted internal roads/walkways with kerbs expressed his readiness to be evaluated by any organisation.
Other projects he executed include the reurbishment of the Council chairman’s office to a smart office, painting of the Police Area Command and Division, the rehabilitation of St. Anthony Primary School Block at Esa Obong in Ward 11, recovery and rehabilitation of Council Grader for grading and opening up of rural roads, and the cultivation of cassava on five hectares of farmland to enhance the council’s food sufficiency efforts.
He said that he was moved out of the passion and love that he has for his people to do what he has done so far having lived among them for many years.
Uwah added that the Council Secretariat lacked the requisite status when he assumed office as the Executive Chairman and that that informed his decision to start development from the Council Secretariat with plans to move immediately to other parts of the Local Government Area and give the people a sense of belonging.
On the five hectares cassava farm, Uwah said it was in line with the State Governor’s directive that each Local Government Area should own a farm in order to contribute to the food basket of the State to feed the populace adding that the produce from the farm would be sold at a subsidised rate to residents.
The chairman said the Council under his administration is open to scrutiny by any anti-graft agency just as he welcomes partnership with any development firm and organisation for the growth and development of the area.
The CHRAN team commended the Local Government Chairman for what he has done within his 100 days in office and observed that the Council has become busy and the staff more engaged.
“When we came, we spoke with some staff privately and they expressed happiness with the administration of Gideon Uwah,” the Director disclosed.
He urged the Chairman, to go further into the hinterlands to ensure the development of the entire Local Government Area as the next line of action and commended him and his team for their vision and focus within the short time.
He urged other Local Councils in the State to emulate the Etim Ekpo Chairman by opening their books and allowing the public, including the CSOs, to scrutinise. He commended the Chairman for striving to justify the funds that he has received.
Isong however recalled that Utu Etim Ekpo Roundabout has always been prone to accidents and called on both the Federal and Akwa Ibom State Governments to redesign and reconstruct the Roundabout to make it easier for vehicles coming from Abak Local Government Area to access Ika Local Government.
